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Special Fire Order Issued Due to Ongoing Drought: DNR Reinstates Burning Permits Beginning Oct. 15In 13 Wisconsin Counties  MADISON, Wis. – Due to prolonged drought conditions and potential for elevated fire danger, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will reinstate DNR burning permits by issuing a Special Fire Order in 13 Wisconsin counties. The permit reinstatement will begin at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in designated DNR protection areas until further notice.  The permit reinstatement applies to the following 13 extensive DNR protection area counties outside incorporated cities and villages: all of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca, Waushara counties and portions of Oconto, Dane, Grant and Iowa counties. A DNR annual burning permit is now required for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas as outlined by the permit, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Before burning in these areas, anyone wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and then visit WisBURN for the current burn restrictions. Traditionally, DNR burn permits are required in extensive protection areas from Jan. 1 through May 31, anytime the ground is not snow-covered. Reinstating permits allows the DNR to suspend burning on a given day during times of elevated fire danger. A DNR burn permit is not required for campfires intended for cooking or warming, but the public is reminded to use extreme caution. Consider having small campfires in a designated fire ring or device in the evening hours to avoid burning under elevated fire conditions, which are typically found during the day.   Current wildfire concerns are primarily due to the lack of precipitation across the entire state. Wisconsin has received record low rain in recent weeks, resulting in varying levels of moderate to severe drought. Wildfires that occur under these conditions can burn for great lengths of time and smolder underground for days and can be challenging to suppress.  Dry conditions, coupled with the potential for increased fire danger in the fall due to dead leaves, pine needles and other dry vegetation on the ground, make debris burning especially risky. Debris burning continues to be the leading cause of wildfires in Wisconsin.    The DNR intends to keep the permit requirements in place until the drought situation improves significantly, either due to long-term rain or snow events. The DNR will continue to evaluate as conditions change.   Check current fire danger, wildfire reports and burning restrictions on the DNR website.

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Weekly News Blast

Another summer weather week in the Town of Grant – geez! But the rain was a nice respite from the heat, that’s for sure.

Although the weekly construction meeting for the 95th & 100th Street bridges over Four Mile Creek was cancelled, work continued. Piling driving was started on 100th Street with intent to move to 95th Street today. Our grader operator has been keeping busy as has our patching crew. Give them a wave when you see them at work!

For those dog-lovers in the town (especially those with pointers) you may want to take a gander at the end of Kellner Road. The amateur and national field trials are being held right here in the Town of Grant! Dog owners and dog handlers/trainers from all over North America descend here once a year, as they have since 1964, to test their dogs on Greater Prairie-chickens. If the dogs successfully point one, they are given a score. The bird(s) are then flushed as hunting of prairie-chickens in the State of WI has been prohibited since 1955. But it’s quite something to see these dogs work the grasslands and see the judges and gallery who follow on horseback (only allowed for this annual event). For more information, contact Lesa Kardash with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Finally, a shout-us to Keith Kardash, First Responder, who also attended the All-Hazards Mitigation Plan meeting a week ago Monday. His name was omitted from last week’s Blast.

Have a nice weekend, Sharon